Paired bag filling machine



C. W. VOGT PAIRED BAG FILLING MACHINE Feb. 2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 7, 1948 C. W. VOGT PAIRED BAG FILLING MACHINE Feb. 2, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ot. '7, 1948 Feb. 2, 1954 C, W, VOGT 2,667,997

PAIRED BAG FILLING MACHINE I 5 Sheets-Sheet l5 Filed OCT.. 7, 1948 i XJ \f A i o um :56o

Gttorneys Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE PAIRED BAG FILLING MACHINE Clarence W. Vogt, Norwalk, Conn.

Application October 7, 1948, Serial No. 53,334

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for filling and closing bags more particularly of the type connected together in a chain of bag pairs by one or more flexible tapes extending lengthwise of the bags.

Unless non-rigid containers such as bags formed or lined with flexible material and particularly with thermoplastic films such as "cellophane, seran, polyethylene or pliolm can be filled with a measured quantity or weight of material, automatically, at a relatively high rate of speed and with a minimum of handling, the cost of packaging is often disproportionate with respect to the cost of the material being packaged.

Where end folded bags of the above type have aps or other extra material integral therewith and utilized to aid in the opening of the mouths thereof for filling, and are also used in sealing the bags to form airtight, moistureproof and waterproof containers, such aps add materially to the cost and bulk of the bags, and where thousands of bags are to be filled the added bulk increases the expense of handling and shipping.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a bag iilling machine which will utilize a connecting tape on the outer faces respectively of a chain or series of bag pairs to advance said bags automatically from a source of supply therefor to the bag filling station of the machine without requiring manual manipulation of said bags.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type which will open, ll and seal bag pairs without requiring special flaps or extra material thereon to effect the opening, filling or sealing operation, yet will provide a seal that is airtight, moistureproof and waterproof, and that will enable the maximum use to be made of the volume of the bag with but the minimum of material required to fabricate the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which bag pairs connected lengthwise in a chain may be advanced through the machine Vto be opened, filled with a measured quantity or weight of material, the paired bags separated from each other and sealed and thereupon delivered from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type which is fully automatic in operation, will operate at a relatively high speed, is compact and rugged in construction, functions with a minimum number of operating parts, none of'which is delicate or apt to become out of order, is capable of continuous operation for long periods without attention, and

has its working parts readily accessible for maintenance and repair so that the cost of upkeep is 10W.

In a preferred embodiment herein chosen to illustrate my invention a chain of bag pairs is provided, the respective pairs of bags being spaced apart endwise and connected in series by two lengths of tape respectively ailixed to each of the outer faces of each of the bags and a machine is provided with a plurality of operating stations which successively act upon the pairs of bags to open the mouths thereof and thereupon to ll the bags, separate the paired bags from each other, seal the bags and eject them from the machine.

Desirable means are provided to effect step by step movement of the chain of bag pairs past said operating stations, the operations performed at such stations including the opening of the bags', the stripping away of the connecting tapes, the advancing of the bags tothe separating station while filling the'same, the separating of the filled bags, the sealing of the open mouths of the filled bags and the ejection of the latter from the Inachine.

The invention resides not only in the general assembly of parts, but also in the details of construction and operation of different sections or units which act in succession on the bags as they advance.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shownone or more of various possible embodiments of the several features oi the invention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan View with parts broken away of one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view showing the bag pair sealing and bag pair separating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevational view partly in cross section taken along line 5-5 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustratingthe movement of the lling sleeves, and, Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view taken along yline 1 1 of Fig. 1. Y

Although various types of cams, gears and sprocket wheels or other mechanism may be employed for operating the constituent elements of the machine in timed relationjand there are many possible ways of driving them from a motor, or other source of power, a particularly desirable arrangement is shown` in the drawings, adapted for use with a chain of bag pairs.

As shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, the bags II and I2 are provided with closed folded over lower` end portions i3. The side panels I4 of a pair of bags near their upper open ends are adhesively secured together as at i5 to form a bag pair. Although the bags are shown connected by a spot of adhesive material, other means may be used such as the reverse coated tab shown and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 48,675 filed September l0, 1948.

Desirably the bags II and I2 are laterally displaced with respect to each other and pairsof bags are spaced apart endwise and connected, preferably by two longitudinal tapes i6 and II, which extend lengthwise of the bags respectivelyl along the center thereof, one on the outer face 20 of each of the bags and adhesivelyfa-iiixed.

thereto as by a spot seal at I3.

By reason of such lateral displacement of the bag pairs II, I2, when they are wound on a roll, the tapes I6 and I I will not be superposed which would cause a bulge in the center of the roll and reduce the number of bags which could be put on a single roll.

The bags may be of paper or similar material in which case they are provided at their open ends with inwardly facing surfaces formed of or coated with, a sealing material which may be of non-tacky latex which will seal upon closing of the mouth of the bag and the application of pressure thereto, or the facing surface, as illustratively shown herein, may be in the form of strips II! of a heat and pressure responsive thermoplastic lm extending along and around theinner surfaces of each bag at the mouth thereof so that when heat and pressure are applied, the mouth ofthe bag will be closed and sealed.

It is to be noted that the making of the entire bag of non-porous material is preferred where the bags are to be filled withy material which must be kept free from dirt, dust or moisture.

There are many types of materials that could beY used for the tapes I 6 and II which join the bag pairs II and I2 respectively. Thus, for example, if the bags as well as the tapes are of paper, a coating of non-tacky latex could be applied to each which would only adhere when in contact, or if a thermoplastic bag' was used, the tape could be of the type known as Scotch tape which could readily be applied to the bag. Preferably, as illustratively shown herein, the tapes are of thermoplastic coated paper of the type put out by the Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company under the trade-marks` Thermo- Kote or Thermo-Stix which tapes are actuated by heat and applied under'pressure;

The machine comprises a frame 2i having a vertical central housing 22 substantially cylindrical in shape as shown in Fig. 2. Rigid with the inner wall of housing 22 and extending laterally inward therefrom is an arm 23 which mounts a vertical bearing 24 at its free` end positioned at the center of said housing.

Rotatably mounted in said bearing 24 is a vertical shaft .25 to which is rigidly affixed, desirably immediately above bearing 24,` an, indexing disc 25 and a drive disc 21. As shown in Fig. 2, indexing disc 2t and drive disc 2'1 are` in coaxial relation, with the latter preferably being positioned directly above the former on shaft 25.

Housing 22 has an opening 3| in the face thereof as shown in Fig. 5 and, a horizontal boss 32 on each side of said opening', said bosses each having a bore 33 therethrough which extends into said housing and which are horizontally aligned. Extending through bores 33 is a horizontal drive shaft 34 one end of which is driven by a motor M and the other end 35 of which extends through a horizontal bearing 35 at the end of a transverse support arm 3l rigid with the frame.

Aiiixed on the portion 33 of drive shaft 34 between bosses 32 and exposed through opening 3i in the housing is a vertical bevel gear 3Q which meshes with a corresponding horizontal bevel gear 4I rigidly affixed to a stud shaft 42 rotatably mounted in a Vertical bearing 5S formed in a boss 44 preferably integral with the wall of said housing and extending above the lower edge 45 of opening 3|.

Also amxed on stud shaft l2 between bevel gear 4lV and the top of boss 44 is a disc 4t which forms part of a Geneva drive mechanism. This disc` 46 has a downwardly extending pin4l on the periphery thereof which coacts with the rim 48 of drive'disc 2l, the latter having a plurality of radiating notches 49 along the periphery thereof into which pin 4l may successively enter. Illustratively there are sixteen notches 49 in drive disc 2'I so that sixteen complete revolutions of disc 46 are required for one complete revolution in intermittent 221/2 degree steps of shaft 25 to which drive disc 21 is affixed. It is of course tof be understood that more or'less notches could be provided in disc 2 depending upon the rate of output desired for the machine.

In order to ensure that shaft 25 will rotate exactly 221,(2 degrees With each revolutionl of disc 46, indexing disc 25 has a plurality of V=shaped teeth 5il on the periphery thereof, illustratively sixteen in number corresponding to the notches 4Q-in disc 2l. As shown in Fig. l, the apex 52 of each of said teeth 5i is aligned with one ofthe notches 49 in disc 2l, and both the apex 52 of each of the' teeth and the trough 53 formed by adjacent teeth are preferably rounded. Riding on the periphery of disc 26 is a roller 54 rotatably mounted on a horizontal plunger rod 55, which isslidably'mounted in a hollow boss 55 extending laterally inward from the wall of housing 22, said roller being resiliently held against the periphery of said disc as by a coil spring 51 positionedv in boss 5G and which normally urges plunger rod 55 toward said' disc 25.

Aixed near the end 35 of drive shaft 34 is a vertical bevel gear Si which meshes with a corresponding bevel gear 62 rigidly aixed to a horizontal stud shaft 63 rotatably mounted in a bearing 54 rigid with the frame of the machine. Also mounted on said stud shaft 63 is a disc E5 whichk forms part of a Geneva drive mechanism. ThisY disc S5 has a finger Se projecting radially from thev periphery thereof to which is aixed a laterally extending pin 6?, which coacts with the rim til of drive disc 59 affixed to a horizontal stud shaft H rotatably mounted in a bearing Z rigid with the frame of the machine and positioned directly above bearing 54 as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Y

Disc 69 has a plurality of radiating notches 'I3 along the periphery thereof into which pin 'I may successively enter. llustratively there are four notches 'I3 in disc 69 so that four complete revolutions of disc G5 are required for one complete revolution in intermittent degree steps of stud shaft Il to which disc 69 is aflixed. As it requires i6 revolutions of drive shaft 34 to rotalle shaft 2-5- one revolution and four revolutions of 'drive shaft 3|! to rotate stud shaft 'H one revolution, it'is apparent that stud shaft v1| willv rotate four revolutions for each revolution of shaft 25. A

` Also mounted on stud shaft 'H is a vertical Vspur gear 'l5 which meshes with a smaller vertical 'spur gear 'I6 affixed on the outer end of a transverse hollow stud shaft '|1, the latter desirably having a heating element 18 positioned in the bore thereof. Shaft l1 is'rotat'ably mounted at its inner end in a bearing 18a rigid with a longitudinal bar 19a aixed to the frame as is shown in Fig. 1 Vand extends beyond said bearing 18a.

Also rigidly mounted on shaft 11 on the extending portion thereof beyond bearingv 18a is a drum or roller 19, the latter 'having a peripheral groove 8| therein as well as an indexing pin 82 extending radially outward from the surface thereof.

Spur gear 'I6 on shaft 1l through meshed pinions 83 and 84 rotatably mounted on bar 19a, drives a spur gear 85 affixed at the outer end of a transverse hollow stud shaft 86, the latter also desirably having a heating element 8l positioned in the bore thereof, and rotatably mounted at its inner end in a bearing 88 rigid with the bar T9 and extending beyond said bearing 88. s

Also rigidly mounted on shaft 86 on the ex tending portion thereof beyond bearing 88, is a drum or roller 89, the latter also having a peripheral groove 9| therein which is positioned to the left of the groove in roller 19 as is shown in'Fig. 1 for the reason hereinafter set forth.

With the construction heretofore described, when setting up the machine for operation, the operator unrolls a length of the chain of bag pairs from the roll 93 which is mounted on transverse shaft 94 and passes the length of the chain around idler roller 90. The tape is positioned in the groove 8| in roller 'I9 with indexing pin 82 in one of the openings 95 positioned in` the space between the bags to insure proper indexing of the latter as they are fed through the machine. Tape I6 which is identical with tape except that it need not have an opening 95 therein is positioned in the groove 9| in roller 89 and passed around said roller.

In order positively to pull on tapes I5 and to insure the movement of the bags, to the bag mouth opening station A, two pairs of take up rollers 96, 91 and 98, 99 are provided associated with tapes I6 and respectively and gripping such tapes. The rollers are operatively connected by a suitable transmission (not shown) with shaft 34 and will rotate in timed relation along with such shaft. Rigidly aflixed on the frame 2| over housing 22 is a fixed horizontal circular plate |0| through which protrudes the upper portion |92 of shaft 25. A rotatable horizontal circular table |03 is provided having an upstanding hollow hub |94', the lower end |65 of which rests on plate-HH with the upper end |02 of shaft 25 extending through the bore |06 of the hub. Table |03 is provided with radially extending strengthening ribs |01 and is secured tol shaft 25 by means of keys |08 rigid with the inner wall of bore |06 of the hub and which extend laterally inward into keyway |09 of shaft 25. A nut HI threaded onl the upper end H2 of shaft 25 in a cavity H3 in hub |94 prevents vertical displacement of the table.

Positioned on the rim H4 of table |03 and extending laterally outwardly therefrom are Aa plurality of upstanding measuring pockets I5. 'The 6. pockets H5 desirably form two coaxial rings H6, Hlpreferably integrally connected, girdling the rim H4 of the table |03 and adjacent pairs of pockets of rings H6 and H1 are slightly offset as shown in Fig. 1 with their open bottom mouths H8 extending below the lower face of the table |03.

H9 is provided in the bottom of the rings extending outwardly from the rim H4 of the table |03 and beneath the latter and in which is positioned an annular ring member |2| affixed at its inner periphery |22 to the rim |23 of the fixed plate |0| as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Ring |2| has a pair of parallel arcuate slots |00 therein extending substantially froml midway between rollers 19 and 89 in a counterclockwise direction for a distance of approximately degrees, which may be aligned respectively with the open bottorn jmouths H8 of the measuring pockets of rings H6 and Hl and which `comprises the bag filling -station B.

The bottom portion of each of the rings H6, Hl beneath Vtransverse slot H9 has a plurality of downwardly extending nozzles |24 rigid therewith and aligned respectively with the bottom mouths H8 of the measuring pockets H5 with adjacent pairs of nozzles being slightly offset as shown in Fig. 1 as are mouths H8. Each nozzle |24 has a sleeve |25 slidably mounted thereon and the associated pairs of sleeves are connected together as at |26. One of the sleeves of each pair, illustratively the sleeves on the inner ring l |6, as shown in Fig. 2, has a laterally extending pin |21 at one side operating in a groove |28 in the periphery of a stationary annular band or cam |29. This cam |29 is positioned beneath plate |0I and rigidly supported on the upper rim |3| of housing 22 being affixed thereto as by welding. The groove |28 along almost its entire length is in a single horizontal plane so that the sleeves. |25 will remain in their raised position For a short distance along the length of the groove, illustrativelysubstantially 9-0 degrees as shown in Fig. 6, the groove makes a sharp dip so as to lower the sleeves |25, Preferably the sleeves at the lower ends have their outer surfaces tapered as at |32 so as to guide them into the bags to be filled in the manner hereinafter described.

Mountedon the frame of the machine midway beneath the rings H6, Hl of measuring pockets H5, is a curved track or rail |35. One end |36 of the track is positioned midway between rollers 'I9 and 89 so as to be aligned with the connection l5 joining the inner faces M of the bag pairs, the track thereupon following the curvature of the rings of measuring pockets midway therebetween, for a distance of approximately 9) degrees in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1 at which time it extends in a straight line as at |31, to the bag pair separating station D at the other end |38 of the rail.

The separating station D comprises a knife blade |4| longitudinally aligned with track |35, rigidly affixed at the end thereof in the same plane therewith and extending above the latter as shown in Fig. 4. 'I'he blade |4| has an inclined cutting edge |42 against which the connected Vportion |5'of the bag pairs will abut when the bag pairsv are moved thereagainst to be separated as will be hereinafter described.

Positioned beneath track |35 and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal tothe length of the .upright bags is a `tablel |44 desirably of A As shown in Fig. 2 an annular transverse slot 7. sheet metal' or other rigid material affixed to the frame and aligned with the.-track135. The table 141| substantially follcvvs` the curved portion of track 135 inv aicounterclockvvise direction to the bag mouth closingstation C at'. Which point ar horizontal conveyor, belt 1:45' (Figs. 2 and 3): is provided rotatably mounted on rollers |46 which are driven by suitable mechanism: (not shown). The conveyor |45 extends beneath the straight portion |3"| of rail 135 to' thev discharge end of the machine and is longitudinally aligned With. the common upper edge |48 of a pair of downwardly sloping discharge tables |43 andl 15|v extending at rightA angles to belt, |45 to feed on to' discharge conveyors |52 and |53 aligned respectively'vvith tables 149 and 15|.

The bagv mouth closing station C comprises two sets of rollers, each illustratively` having three. rollers designated 154', |55 and |56', the sets being respectively positioned on each side of the straight portion |31 of the rail |35, and mounted along the inner edge |30: of the underface of horizontal plates |51 respectively. Each plate 151 as shown inv Fig. 3" has an upstariding strengthening Wall |59 desirably along the inner edge thereof with a laterally projecting member 16:1 which i'spivotally mounted as at |62 on the laterally extending arm 53 of a bracket |54 affixed to the frame on each side of track |35 respectively.

A second' bracket |55 (Fig. 7) is also provided affixed to the frame on each side of track |35 respectively and' having a laterally extending arm |56 on which laterally projecting member |521 rests as shown in Fig. 7. By means of a coil spring H compressed between side Wall |59 of plate |51 and ringer |58 depending beneath arm |68, plates |51 are normally pivoted inwardly on pivot |152 so that rollers |55 are in Contact.

Each set of rollers has an endless belt 11| therearound and one of the rollers, i. e., roller |56 is driven by a suitable transmission (not shown) through vertical shaft 1'12V connected. thereto. Desirably a heating shoe |14 isY provided on each of the plates in contact with belt to heat the latter. Positioned adjacent rollers 15S: at the discharge end of the machine is the bag mouth sealing station E, which comprises a pair of rollers |18 heated in any suitable manner and normally urged into contact with each other by tensed coil springs Illas is clearly shown in Fig. l, which rollers are -driven by a suitable transmission (not shown) through vertical shafts I'i8` connected thereto respectively.

Operation With the measuring pockets |15 iilled with materialy through hoppers H positioned thereabove, motor M which vvillV rotate continuously is thereupon turned on to begin the automatic operation of the machine which is as follows:

Rotation of motor M and shaft' 31| driven thereby will rotate bevel gears 3S and 4| to drive stud shaft '42 and disc 45 thereon in a clockwise direction. As disc d6 rotates, pin 41 will engage one of the sixteen notches 49 in drive disc 2l at each complete revolution of disc' 46, thereby stepping drive disc 21 in a counterclockwise: direction through an arcuate distance of 22%, den grees. Thus shaft 25 to Which drive discv 2,1 is amxed as well as indexing plate 26, will also move 22T/2 degrees in a' counterclockwise direction.

By reason of spring. urged roller 54 which rides on therim of indexing plate, 26, afterpin 47|. has

moved. out of a-noi-.011143,the'rollel:- 54' will seat in the trough53 sothataccurate 221/2degree steps are assured.

As table |03 affixed to the upper end |02 of shaft 25 is moved: ina counterclockwise direction and as the paired measuringk pockets |15, are moved 221/2 degrees from position X to the bag mouth opening station A shown in Fig. 1., the-pin 1.28 will: ride dovvnk the inclinedV portion of cam |29'shown in'. Fig. 6 andthe sleeves |257 will slide down the nozzles |25 positioned between drums 'HlV and 89;

After table |03 has moved one step as above described', and is at rest, the continued rotation of motor M and shaft 34 drivenv thereby,l will rotate bevel. gears El and 62 to drive studr shaft 63 and disc 65 thereon in a clockwise direction. As disc 65 rotates, pin 61 will engage one of the four notches 13 in drive disc 68 at each complete revolution of disc 65, thereby stepping drive' disc 69 through 90l or one quarter of a revolution; 'l'.hus shaft 1| to. which drive disc 69- is aillxed will also move one quarter of a revolution in a counterclockvvise direction as will gear 'I5 aixed thereon.

Gear 15 which meshes with gearv 115v on stud shaft T1 will thereupon rotate in a clockwise direction along with drum 19 thereon; Gear 16 through meshed pinions 83 andv 85, which latter pinion meshes with gear 85' on shaft 86 will rotate the latteranddrum 89 thereon in a counterclock- Wise direction. At the same time as shaft' 3k rotates, take up rollers 95, 91 and' 9B, 99 which are operatively connected thereto will also rotate to pull on tapes 15 and 11 respectively to move the bag pairs carried thereby from the roll 83 vertically to the bag mouth opening station A.

It is to be noted that with the indexing pin' 82 in upright position as shown in Fig. 2' and. in opening 95A in the tape, the mouthsv of a pair of bags 12` at station Av Willi be directly below the sleeves of a pair of associated measuring pockets 1 15 and by reason of the fact' that tapes 16 and 11 are'pulled apart and spaced from each other' when positioned around rollery 19 and 89, the mouths of the paired bags will be pulled open so that as the bags are lifted the mouths thereof willl respectively straddle the sleeves' |25, the tapered ends |32 of the sleeve aiding in the' positioning of the bag mouths thereover.

With bags 11, |2 at position A, the heated rollers '19, 89'wi1l activate the thermoplastic spot seal 18 joining the bags to the tapes 11 and` |6 respectively, to render such seal tacky. The next stepping movement will advance the table so that the measuring pockets l5 and' associated nozzles and sleeves will move fromv station A to the filling station B.

As the sleeves are inside the bags, as they move in a counterclockv/ise direction, they will move the pair of bags from station A to station B. During the course of such movement the bags Will pull on the tapes at the reactivated and tacky spot seall lrcausing the tapes to be peeled from the-bags at the same time sliding the pairedbags onto the track |35 which is positioned under the spot I5 connecting the opposed inner faces |4 of the bags with the bags straddling said track'. During the course of the movement of such bags', the bottoms thereof will be moved' onto table 144 which supports the bags as shown in Fig. 3.

With the bags at station B, the open mouths |18 of the measuring pockets |15 of rings |16, will be aligned respectively with theybegfinning ofthe pair of? arcuate slotsA |118` in annular ring |2| thereby allowing the material inthe pockets to flow into the bags.

Repeated intermittent movements of the table advance the pair of bags through filling station B to the bag closing station C, to which position the arcuate slots IIlIl extend, thereby filling the paired bags.

As the pair of bags advance from filling station B to bag closing station C the bottoms thereof ride off the end of table |44 onto moving conv eyor-belt |45 which is moving in timed relation withA table |03, and at the same time pins |28 ride up the inclined portion of cam |29 to withdraw the -nozzles |25 from the bags.

4,Heated belts |`II around rollers |54, |55 and |56 are also moved in stepped timed relation With conveyor belt |45' and are aligned respectively with the outer wall 20 of the open mouths of the bags II and I2. As the bags are moved through station C to the bag pair separating station D the mouths thereof will be closed by the contiguous endless belts III and the adhesive strips I on the inner walls of the mouths of the bags will be heated and partially activated. Further` movement of the paired bags will cause the inclined knife edge |42 to abut againstthe spot seal I connecting the two bags II and I2 to separate the latter. As the mouths of the bags are tightly compressed at such time, between rollers |56 which are resiliently urged toward each other by tensed compression springs |51, the bags are retained in Aupright position and as the closed mouths thereof pass between heated driven rollers I'Irof the sealing station E adhesive strip IIlon the inner surface of the bag mouths will be further heated so that the bag mouths become tightly sealed. y

As the bags are moved beyond rollers |16 one bag ife., bag |I jwill slide down table |5| onto conveyor |53 and the other bag i. e., bag I2 will slide down table |49 onto conveyor |52.

.Where a thermoplastic coating` is used onthe tapes I6, I'| that sets immediately upon cooling below its activation temperature, then such tapes after being stripped from the bags as above described and'almost immediately after leaving the heated drums '59, 89 will cool and set and hence may readily bere-wound for re-use.

It is Valso'within the scope of this invention to dispense with the heating elements 18, 81 entirely .and use self stick material for the spot seal of the bags to the tapes and also for the mouths of the bags. This self stick material requires only pressure for sealing and the tape thus coated also may readily be peeled off a correspondingly coated spot on the bag in the same manner as previously described with respect to the actuated thermoplastic tape but without the use of heated rollers.

It is also within the scope of this invention to use short strips or tabs similar to those shown in Fig. 3 of my co-pending application, Serial No. 4,675 filed September 10, 1948 to connect two bags to form the bag pairs. y

- Although in the embodiment of the invention herein shown and described an intermittent drive is'y utilized, it is ofcourse to be understood that the Geneva drive mechanism could be dispensed with and a continuous drive utilized. In such c'aseit would only be necessary properly to time the machine so that the bag lifting device and made is readily apparent no further description thereof willbe given. j

The machine herein "can operate for4 many hours without supervisionat a relative high rate of speed and without supervision requiring, as it does,only 1an adequate Vsupply. of material and Having thus described my invention, what IY claim as new and vdesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A1. A machine for lling .prefabricated bag means connected together in a chain by a pair of tapes one on each of the o uter faces of said bagmeans, said machine having mounted thereon means for filling bags, spaced means for engaging continuous tapes rsecured to the outer faces of the bag means and feeding the tape and bag means to the filling means, means mounting the engaging means beneath the filling means and in spaced relation whereby the engaging means-will advance the bag means to the lling means with the sides Yof the bag means spaced apart beneath the filling means, a sleeve on the filling means, means to -move the sleeve into the open end of the bag means, means to cause the filling means to introduce material into the bag means Whilev the sleeve is in the open end of the bag means, and means. tovmove the bag means from the fillingmeans. Y

2. Mechanism for fillingl prefabricated bag means connected together in a chain by a pair of tapes one on each o f the outer faces of said bag means, said mechanism comprising a machine having means for filling bags, a plurality of means spaced upon opposite sides of the fillingV means for engaging the tapes andadvancing the bags to the lling means with the sides of the bags spaced apart beneath the filling means, a sleeve on the filling means, means to move the sleeve into the open end of the bag means, means for driving the tape engaging means, and means to'cause the filling means to introduce material into'the bag means while the sleeve is in the open end of the bag means.

3. A machine vfor filling prefabricated bag pairs connected together in pairs in chain formation by a pair of tapes one on each of the outer faces of each of the bag pairs, said machine comprising spaced filling means thereon, a plurality of means spaced upon apposite sides of the filling means for engaging the tapes and feeding the bag pairs to the filling means with the sides of each of the bags of each respective pair spaced apart beneath the respective lling means, means to cause the `filling means to introduce material into the bags while the sidesfofhthe bags are spaced apart, and means to move the'bags away mean? .spaced 1.111011v Opposite vSides, of the ,lillins acerbo? means for engaging the tapes'and vfeeding fthe bag pairs to the filling means with 'the sides fof each of the bags of each respective pair spaced apart 'beneath the Vrespective 'lling means, 'means to cause the vfilling `means tointroduce material into the bags while the sides of the bags are spaced apart, la rail or'supportingbag pairs between the bags fof each pair, and means 'to move the .bagsfaway from thefilling means, and along the last named rail. l

5. vA machine for l"filling prefabricatedbagpairs connected together -in pairs in chain 'formation bya pair of tapes one on each ofthe outer rfaces of each of the bag pairs, said machine comprising spaced iilling'means thereon, aiplurality of means spaced upon opposite sides lof the viilling means for-engaging the tapes and :feeding the -bag pairs to the filling means with thesides of each ofthe bags of each respective pair spaced #apart --beheath the `respective iilling means, sleeves -on the iilling means, means to move the fsleeves into the open ends of vthe .bags of the respective pairs, means to cause the filling means lto introduce material into the 'bags while the 'sleeves are in the open ends of the bagsand -means to move the bags away Vfrom the filling means.

6. A machine for filling -prefabricate'd'bag.pairs connected :together in'pairs in chain formation by a pair of tapes one on each ofthe outer faces of each of the bag pairs,-said machine comprising spaced filling means thereon, rollers spaced upon opposite sides of the `iilling means for vengaging the tapes 4and feeding the :bag pairs to the iilling means with the sides of each 'ofthe bags of each respective pair spaced apart Abeneath the respective iiHing'meanS, 'means tocause the filling means to introduce material into the bags while the sidesof the bagsare jspaced'apart, and means to move the bags away from the lling means. l

7. A machine for Vfilling prefabricatedbag'pairs connectedtogether in 'pairs in c'hain vformation by a pair of tapes one'oneach of the outer 'faces of each of the bag pairs, said'machine comprising spaced iilling means ithereon, rollers spaced upon opposite sides of lthenllingi means `for yengaging the-'tapes and feeding 'the 'bag pairsto the filling means Ywith the sides -of -each of the bags of each respective pair spaced apart beneath the respective filling means, meanson theV rollers for heating the tapes, means to cause `the filling lmeans to introduce material'into lthe bags while the sides'of the bags are-spaced apart, and means to move the bags --awayfrom Athe vfilling means.

8. A machine for filling prefabricated bag pairs connected together in pairs in chain formation by a pair of tapes one on each'of vthe outer faces of each of the bag pairs, said machine comprising spaced filling means thereon, -rollersspac'ed upon opposite sides of the filling means Vforengaging the tapes and feeding the -bag pairs to the filling means with the sidesof each of the bags of each respective pair spaced apart beneath the respective filling means, -register Ypins on the rollers for engaging lthe tapes, means to cause the filling means to lintroduce -material into the bags while the sides of the -ba'gs 'arespaced apart, and means to move the `bags away from the filling means.

9. A machine for lling prefabricated bag pairs connected together `in pairs in 'chain 'formation by a pair of tapes one on each of the outer'ffaces of each 'of the bag pairs,said machine comprising spaced filling means thereon, rollers vspaced upon opposite sides fof the idling means "for envgaging the tapes and 'feeding the bag .pairstothe' filling 'means with the Vsiiies of each of lthe b'ags of `rea'ch respective 'pair spaced apart beneath the respectivelling means, 'means to cause the 1ling means to introduce .materialfnto fthe bags while the sides of the bags are spaced apart' means spaced from said rollers and out of Ythe planes of 'the tapes approaching said Yrollers-"for directing the tapes away from the rollers and the Vbags 4previously held lthereby, and means Lf'o'r moving the 'bags awayfrom the fiilling means.

10. A vmachine for `filling 'prefabricated f'bag means connected together in la chain lb'ya'pair of 'tapes one on each 'of the outerliaces ofsaid bag means and lying across said 'faces vait aniangle to the open sides thereof, Isaid machine being formed with filling means, a plurality fof means to engage .thejtapes to advance vthe 'tapes and bags in chain -formation Vupwardly 'to 'the flliing means, said engaging means including means spaced upon y'opposite sides of the iilling means to space Vthe sides of .the bags 'apart beneath the filling meansineans tofcause Vthe filling means to introduce material into thebags,meansspaced from said Aengagingmeans and on opposite 'sides of the path of the bags 'approa'chinglsaid llin'g means for directing the tapes away ifrom the bags at the filling means, and A means fordirectingthe bags away from the filling means.

A11. vA y'machine for filling prefabricate'd `-bag means connected together in fa chain Eby a 'pair of `tapes vone on each of -the outerlfaces of 'said bag means land lying acrosssaidf'aces at '-anan gle tothe opensides thereof, saidmachinebeing formed with filling means, -a plurality-'of means to engage the tapes to advance the tapes 'and bags chain formation vupwardly Eto lthe filling means, said engaging means including means spaced upon -oppositesides of the filling means to space the sides of the bags apart beneath the filling means, means to cause the filling means to introduce material into lthe bags, means "to heat the tapes at the filling means, means spaced from said eng-aging'means -andon opposite sides of the Vpath 'of the bags approaching said filling means for directing the tapes away from the bags at the filling -means,and means 'fordirecting thef'bagsaw'ay from the lling-means.

`l2. A machine for lfilling prefabricated lbag means connected v'together in -a ychain by 'a pair of tapes one on each of the outer faces of "said bag means 'and lying Macross said faces at anangle to vthe open sides thereof, said machine "be'uig formed With/fillingflmeans means to engage the tapes tofadvance the tapes and 'bags inchain formation vertically 4to `Athe lling means, lsaid last name'd means `including rollers mounted upon opposite sides of the "filling means with their axes :horizontal fto space `the sides -`of the bags apart beneath .fthe filling lmeans, means fto cause lthe 'iilling :means to -introduceimaterial into the bags, means spaced from fsa'id A'engaging means and on opposite sidesof .the path of -the bagsiapproaching said filling means for directing Vthe `tapes away `from Vthe vbags at the filling means, Vand means for directing the bagsraway from the Vfilling means.

13. A machine for filling prefabricated bag pairs connected together -bya connection between their 1adjacent 'sides and connected in chain formation tby fa pair of "tapes one on each of 'theouter faces of each of the bagv pairs and lying acrosssaid faces 'at Aanangle to the open sides thereof, *said machine being formed with 13 spaced filling means, rollers journaled upon opposite sides of the filling means to engage the tapes to advance the tapes and bags in chain formation upwardly to the lling means to space the sides of the bags apart beneath the respective lling means, means to cause the filling means to introduce material into the bags, means to direct the tapes away from the bags at the filling means, a guide rail leading from the lling means and adapted to support'l the bag pairs thereover with the connection between the pairs resting thereon, means adjacent to said guide rail for engaging and sealing the bags, and means adjacent the end of said guide rail for severing the connection between the bags of each pair after they have been sealed.

CLARENCE W. VOGT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Jones Aug. 18, 1936 Allen Oct. 19, 1943 Heywood Oct. 26, 1943 Sherman Feb. 29, 1944 Allen June 6, 1944 Williams June 13, 1944 Stenglein May 15, 1945 Barker Dec. 13, 1949 

